Tamper-evident closures

ABSTRACT

A plastic unitary molded child-resistant, snap-on, tampered-evident closure includes an upper cap portion having internal spaced ribs disposed for cooperation with the upper annular collar on the neck portion of a container, only one rib being sized to pass through the gap of the upper annular collar, and the upper cap portion having an indication indicating the location of the one rib; a lower skirt portion connected to the upper cap portion and having an inside diameter close to the outside diameter of the upper cap portion; weakened intermediate portions circumferentially formed about the closure at the connection between the lower skirt portion and upper cap portion; the upper cap portion including about its circumference a plurality of vertically extending intermittently spaced grooves extending down to the weakened intermediate portions; a plurality of corresponding openings which separate the weakened intermediate portions and extend through the connection between the upper cap portion and lower skirt portion; radially inwardly directed ribs located on the interior surface of the lower skirt portion for locking engagement with the annular collar of the container, the ribs being longitudinally aligned with the grooves on the upper cap portion, vertically spaced from the upper end of the lower skirt portion and lockingly engaging the lower annular collar of the container at an engagement portion on the lower annular wall thereof, inwardly spaced from the outer peripheral wall of the lower annular collar when the closure is assembled with the container.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 923,011, filed Oct. 23, 1986 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,281 to thesame inventor herein and entitled TAMPER-EVIDENT CLOSURES, which inturn, is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.06/680,157, filed Dec. 10, 1984 to the same inventor herein and nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-FIELD OF APPLICATION

This invention relates to closures; and more particularly, totamper-evident closures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION-DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Many bottles and other containers are provided with caps, covers orclosures formed to reveal whether the container has unwarrantedly beenopened. Such containers and closures are used for pharmaceuticalproducts, patent medicines; but are just as important for all productswhich are meant to be used for human consumption. Such closures warn theuser that the contents may have been tampered with and in turndiscourage the criminal practice of tampering with packaged products.

A considerable number of such containers made either of plastic or glassutilize plastic closures. However, closures of the type shown in U.S.Pat. No. 4,103,803 issued on Aug. 1, 1978 to R. T. Irvine forTamperproof Container And Cap Assembly, merely provide a skirt portionseparable from a cap portion by a frangible section and may be foundinadequate because once the closure has been opened it cannot bere-capped.

On the other hand, container closures like those shown in U.S. Pat. No.4,281,774 issued on Aug. 4, 1981 to G. V. Mumford for Tamper Proof SnapCap, have a skirt with a lower surface which may help to slowly pry-upthe closure; especially where it is by construction spaced from thecontainer wall. When such a closure is pryed up slowly, it is possiblethat the tamper-proof strip will not separate, and then the contents canbe tampered with and the container re-closed. Meticulous opening andre-closing of such a container may be required, but those who might wantto tamper with the container, seem to be willing to devote the time andeffort to do so.

Other prior art container closures, like those shown in U.S. Pat. No.3,979,003 issued on Sept. 7, 1976 to D. O. Allen for Reusable FrangibleClosure, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,552 issued on Sept. 4, 1979 to G. W.Faulstich for Plastic Cap And Container Construction and in U.S. Pat.No. 4,438,857 issued on Mar. 27, 1984 to J. J. Bullock, 111 for Cap AndNeck Structure For A Wide-Mouth Jar, require relatively complex andexpensive mechanisms for molding into the closure the area of reducedstrength that would facilitate the fracture of the skirt from theclosure cap. These constructions, furthermore, are not usable with screwtop jars which are often required for re-closable containers.

Container closures of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,517 issuedon Dec. 15, 1981 to S. W. Dennis for Tamperproof Closure, also requirequite costly and complex molds and mechanisms to form the vertical andhorizontal grooves and slot arrangements needed to facilitate operationof the tab and opening of the closure. On the other hand, a closure likethe one shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,307,821 issued on Dec. 29, 1981 to J.A. McIntosh for Container-Closure Assembly, is for particular types ofcontainers and is not adaptable for tamper-evident containers ingeneral.

Container closures of the type shown in British Pat. No. 809,398 issuedon Feb. 25, 1959 for Tamper-Proof Caps For Bottles And Other Receptaclescan be easily tampered with by squeezing the lower ring between the fourequally spaced teeth formed on a container neck which are engaged withthe teeth formed on the inner surface of the lower portion of theclosure and can be easily seen from the top of a sealed container. Bysqueezing the lower portion of the closure between these four teeth theycan be easily disengaged and the cap unscrewed by a small amount. Bycarefully repeating the procedure several times the closure can beremoved without any damage to the frangible area and capped again.

Some of the available tamper-evident closures are formed by firstmolding the cap; the cap is then cut through along a predetermined lineto form a weakened area about which the cap fractures when opened. Theadditional operation which is needed to form the cuts through the caprequires additional cap handling and adds to the cost of the closure.

To form the cuts through the cap material during the closure moldingoperation, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,408 issued on Aug. 10, 1982to E. J. Csaszar for Tamper-Evident Plastic Closure, however, requiresthe use of quite complex and expensive molds with slides which may proveunreliable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide new and improvedtamper-evident closures.

It is another object of this invention to provide new and improvedtamper-evident closures for screw top containers.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide new and improvedtamper-evident closures for snap top containers.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide new and improvedtamper-evident closures with frangible areas that are stronger in onedirection of rotation than in the opposite direction of rotation.

It is still another object of this invention to provide new and improvedchild-resistant tamper-evident closures.

It is yet still another object of this invention to provide new andimproved tamper-evident closures formed to facilitate molding of theclosure.

It is yet still further object of this invention to provide new andimproved tamper-evident closures to facilitate ejection of the closurefrom the mold.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention in its detailsof construction and arrangement of parts will be seen from the above,from the following description of the preferred embodiment whenconsidered with the drawing and from the appended claims. In addition,these and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome evident from the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention involves tamper-evident closures; and contemplatesforming the closures with a cap portion and a skirt portion connectedtogether by a separation area of weakened construction, such that anyoperation of the closure to remove the closure from the container willeffect separation of the skirt portion from the cap portion at theweakened area and make readily evident that the closure has been opened.The weakened area is either accomplished by forming openings, or cuts,through the closure wall from the inside of the closure during moldingthereof, or by molding the closure so that the thickness of the wall atsuch area is relatively thin when compared to the adjacent wallportions. The closure skirt portions are also formed to facilitateejection of the molded closure from the mold.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangements of parts which will beexemplified in the system, device, and article of manufacturehereinafter described, and of which the scope of application is aselucidated supra as will be indicated in the appended claims. In thisregard, numerous alternatives within the scope of the present invention,besides those alternatives, preferred embodiments or modes practicingthe invention supra, and those to be elucidated, infra, will occur tothose skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view, in partial section, of a tamper-evidentclosure, incorporating the instant invention, and showing same appliedto the neck of a container;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, in section, of a mold with the mold openand the closure, incorporating the instant invention, partially ejected;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view, in section, of the mold of FIG. 2 showinga closure being ejected;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evident closureof FIG. 4 as applied to the neck of a container shown in part and insection;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evident closureof FIG. 6 as applied to the neck of a container shown in part and insection;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evident closureof FIG. 8 as applied to the neck of a container shown in part and insection;

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evidentclosure of FIG. 10 applied to the neck of a container shown in part andin section;

FIG. 12 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 13 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evidentclosure of FIG. 12 applied to the neck of a container shown in part andin section;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evidentclosure of FIG. 14 applied to the neck of a container shown in part andin section;

FIG. 16 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 17 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evidentclosure of FIG. 16 applied to the neck of a container shown in part andin section;

FIG. 18 is an elevational view of another embodiment of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 19 is an elevational view, in section, of the tamper-evidentclosure of FIG. 18 applied to the neck of a container shown in part andin section;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view, in section, of a mold for the moldingclosure shown in FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is an elevational view, in section, of the mold of FIG. 20 withthe mold open and a closure in place thereon prior to ejection;

FIG. 22 is a view, in partial section, of a tamper-evident,child-resistant closure, incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 22A is a sectional view taken on line 22A--22A of FIG. 22;

FIG. 23 is a view, in section, of a tamper-evident, child-resistantclosure, incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 24 is a view, in partial section, of a tamper-evident,child-resistant closure, incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 25 is a view, in partial section of a tamper-evident,child-resistant closure, incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the closure shown in FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a view, in partial section, of a tamper-evident closure,incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 28 is a top view of the closure shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a view, in partial section, of another embodiment of atamper-evident closure, incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 30 is an elevational view in partial section of a tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a top view of the closure shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is an elevational view in partial section of tamper-evidentclosure incorporating the instant invention;

FIG. 33 is a top view of a closure, shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a view in partial section of a tamper-evident,child-resistant closure, incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a view, in partial section, of a tamper-evident closureaccording to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 36 is a view, in partial section, of a tamper-evident closureaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1 there is generally shown a closure 1 for acontainer or bottle 2 having a threaded neck 3. Container 2 is ofconventional configuration and construction and may be formed fromglass, plastic or similar material. The threads on threaded neck 3 areof conventional configuration for bottles and containers used forcarbonated beverages, pharmaceuticals, patent medicines, foodstuffs andthe like; and are formed for mating engagement with similarly formedinternal threads 4 formed within a cap or upper portion 5 of closure 1.Closure 1 is formed from suitable plastic by injection molding.

An upper collar 6 is formed around the neck 3 of container 2 as is alower annular collar 7. Closure 1 includes an upper threaded portion 5and a lower or skirt portion 8 which is formed with internal ratchetelements 9 that are formed and disposed for cooperation with ratchetelements 10 externally formed on container 2 between collars 6 and 7thereof. Ratchet elements 9 and 10 cooperate in a well known manner topermit rotation of closure 1 in one direction but prevent the rotationof closure 1 in the opposite direction as long as skirt 8 is intact andin place. In addition, skirt portion 8 can be sized such that lowersurface 11 is disposed closely adjacent to an upper surface of lowercollar 7 so that closure 1 cannot be readily pryed up off of container2.

Attempted rotation of closure 1 to unscrew it off of container 2 resultsin cooperation of ratchet elements 9 and 10 such that the continuedapplication of force will fracture skirt 8 off of upper portion 5 arounda weakened or frangible area 12 of closure 1.

Frangible area 12 is formed during the molding of closure 1 byprotrusions 13 in the area thereof between the upper portion 5 ofclosure 1 and skirt portion 8 thereof. It should be noted thatprotrusions 13 are made in a certain way. Each protrusion consists ofparts 13a and 13b. Portion 13a is parallel to the lower surface of skirt11. Portion 13b is molded at an angle "a" to the bottom surface 11 ofclosure 1. The next cut 13a starts right under where the end of cut 13bends and at the same level with cut 13a. The portion of plastic betweencuts 13a and 13b makes the connection between the upper portion ofclosure 1 and the lower portion thereof frangible.

The way the frangible connection is designed makes it stronger in onedirection, indicated by arrow "A", and weaker in the opposite direction.

If a force is applied between upper portion 5 of closure 1 and lowerportion (skirt 8) of closure 1 in direction "A", which occurs whenclosure 1 is screwed on to the bottle, frangible area 12 is compressedand works like a ratchet pushing skirt 8. When a force is applied in theopposite direction, which occurs when closure 1 is unscrewed off of thebottle and the ratchets 9 of skirt are engaged with ratchets 10 of abottle, frangible area 12 is stretched. The way cuts 13a and 13b aremade induces a great amount of stress concentration during suchstretching. At the same time the upper portion of protrusion 13a ridesover a lower surface of a cut 13b and pushes skirt 8 downward and awayfrom the upper portion which makes the frangible connection much weakerin this direction. That helps to avoid separation between upper andlower portions of closure 1 during the assembly on an assembly line.

Protrusions 13 are formed from the inside of closure 1 during themolding thereof. The cross-section of protrusions 13 has a shapegenerally similar to the shape of an axial cross-section of a cone. Eachprotrusion 13 has a top surface 14a and a bottom surface 14. As shown inFIG. 1 the surface 14 is disposed at an angle to the outside surface ofan upper portion 5.

An annular undercut 15 is molded in upper part 5 above the protrusions13 to facilitate ejection of closure 1 from its mold without breakingthe frangible connections 12, leaving a strip of material 16 between theundercut 15 and protrusions 13. The cross-section of the undercut 15 issimilar to the cross-section of protrusions 13 but the undercut 15 doesnot protrude through the wall of the upper portion 5.

Skirt portion 8 is formed such that it diverges outwardly from thefrangible area 12 to the bottom portion of closure 1. The bottom surface11 of skirt 8 is used to facilitate ejecting of the closure 1 from itsmold.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are included to facilitate an understanding of howclosures, incorporating the instant invention, might be molded anddescribe how elements included in the instant invention assist in themolding of closure 1. A partial removal of closure 1 from its core isshown on FIG. 2. The internal core, which forms the inside of closure 1in accordance with the present invention, comprises three elements: athreaded core 17, which forms the internal thread of closure 1, animmovable core 18, which forms the protrusions 13 with the undercut 15,and the inside core 19, which forms the top wall and ratchets 20 ofclosure 1. The ejector bushing 21 forms the bottom surface 11 of closure1.

During ejection all these elements move in a certain way. The threadedcore 17 can only rotate around its axis, the inside core 19 togetherwith ejector bushing 21, moves up in the direction indicated by arrow"A" till closure 1 is completely disengaged with threaded core 17. Afterthis moment the movement of the inside core 19 is stopped, but theejector continues its movement until the bottom surface 11 of closure 1passes the top surface of the inside core 19, and the closure can freelyfall down. The immovable core 18 is permanently fixed to the mold baseand has no movement relative to the base.

Rotation of threaded core 17 effects in linear movement of the closure 1in the direction of arrow "A". At the same time the ejector 21 moves inthe same direction with the same speed, as closure 1, and pushes theskirt 8 over the immovable core 18. Because the speed of the linearmovement of closure 1 and bushing 21 is the same, there are no forcesacting in the axial direction between the upper part 5 and the skirt 8which could result in separation of skirt from the upper portion duringthe ejection. But at the same time a radial force is introduced betweenthe upper portion and the skirt in the area of their frangibleconnection. As it is shown in FIG. 2 the skirt 8 expands radiallyoutwardly as it is removed from the immovable core 18 by part 22 whichforms protrusions 13. Removal of closure 1 from the immovable core 18 ina way, that the upper portion of closure 1 remains straight while theskirt expands outwardly being pushed over conical surface 22 ofimmovable core 18, would result in fracturing of the frangibleconnection 12, unless the closure is molded from a very soft,stretchable material and the frangible connection itself is strongenough to expand the upper portion without fracturing, which again has anegative affect on the closure's tamper-evident feature.

To avoid separation between the upper and lower portions of closure 1during the ejection due to outward expansion of the skirt 8 over theconical surface 22 of an immovable core 18 an undercut 15 is added tothe upper portion 5 of the closure 1, above the frangible area 12.During the ejection, when the upper part of skirt 8 expands outwardly,going over the conical surface 22 of immovable core 18, the bottomportion 16 of the upper part 5 of closure 1, located between thefrangible area 12 and an undercut 15, expands outwardly too, beingpushed over a conical collar 23 of immovable core 18. Because the bottomportion 16 of the upper part and the upper portion of the skirt aremoving outwardly together at the same time in the area of frangibleconnection, it becomes possible to mold the closure 1 in one piecewithout breaking the frangible connection during its ejection from themold. Conical collar 23 forms an undercut 15 having a conicalcross-section as does the protrusion 13. The conical-cross section ofprotrusion 13 permits a smooth outward expansion of the skirt during theejection of closure 1.

After the closure 1 is removed from the immovable core 18, the bottomportion 16 of the upper part 5 springs back, together with the upperportion of the skirt 8, which is shown in FIG. 3. In its furthermovement the ejector 21 passes the conical surface 22, which forms theprotrusion 13. To prevent interference between the conical surface 22and the ejector 21 during the ejection of the closure 1, the skirt 8slightly diverges outwardly to provide surface 11 located outside theouter diameter of the conical surface 22.

In case the quality of the thread in the closure is not essential and acheaper stripped thread can be used to satisfy customers' needs, closure1 can be stripped off the threaded core 17 by means of inside core 19and ejector 21 without rotating the threaded core 17. Still the sameelements in the closure 1 are needed: undercut 15, conical cross-sectionof protrusions 13, and outward divergence of skirt 8 to provide ejectionof closure 1 from its mold without breaking frangible connection 12.

Thus, closure 1 is applied to the neck 3 of container 2 in aconventional manner. Once so applied, any attempt to remove closure 1from container 2 must result in fracturing of closure 1 at weakened area12. Such fracturing will be readily apparent to the user and thusclosure 1 is tamper-evident. When it is desired to remove closure 1 fromcontainer 2 to gain access to the contents therein one needs only toapply appropriate force in the appropriate direction to turn closure 1.Ratchet elements 9 and 10 cooperate to restrain rotation of skirtportion 8 and continued force to turn closure 1 results in fracturing ofweakened area 12 and separation of the upper portion of closure 1 fromskirt portion 8. Upper portion of closure 1 may thereafter be screwedonto and off of neck 3 of container 2 to open and close container 2.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 show alternate construction fortamper-evident closure 1a. Closure 1a is formed as was the closure ofFIG. 1 by molding from suitable plastic and with internal threads 4adisposed for coaction with external threads 3a formed on the neck ofcontainer 2a, formed of plastic or glass and otherwise similar tocontainer 2 of FIG. 1.

Closure 1a also includes a skirt portion 8a formed with internal ratchetelements 9a disposed for coaction with ratchet elements 10a of container2a in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Closure 1a is also formed with a frangible or weakened area 12a betweenits upper portion 5a and skirt portion 8a. Such weakened area is formedby a number of protrusions 13a', circumferentially located one afteranother at an angle "a" to the bottom surface 11a of closure 1a. Itshould be noted that protrusions 13a' are made in a certain way. Eachprotrusion starts right under the end of a previous protrusion and onthe same level with the beginning of a previous protrusion. The portionof plastic between protrusions 13a' makes the connection between theupper portion 5a of closure 1a and the lower portion 8a thereoffrangible.

Similar to closure 1 of FIG. 1, frangible connection 12a of closure 1ais stronger in one direction of rotation and weaker in the oppositedirection.

An annular undercut 15a is molded in upper portion 5a above theprotrusions 13a' to facilitate ejection of closure 1a from its moldwithout breaking frangible connection 12a, leaving a strip of material16a between the undercut 15a and protrusions 13a'. The cross-section ofthe undercut 15a and protrusions 13a' is similar to the cross section ofclosure 1 shown in FIG. 1. A side wall of skirt 8a also divergesoutwardly to provide an area of bottom surface 11a which is locatedoutside the outer diameter of protrusions 13a" and can be used tofacilitate ejection of closure 1a from its mold.

Closure 1a (FIGS. 4 and 5) and container 2a cooperate as described forthe embodiment of FIG. 1 such that the application of appropriate forceto closure 1a will result in separation of the upper portion of closure1a from skirt 8a along weakened area 12a. If such separation is not aresult of an intended opening of container 2a then it will be evidentthat there may have been tampering with the contents.

Another embodiment of tamper-evident closure is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.A closure 1b is shown disposed in cooperation with a container 2b. Bothare formed from suitable materials and by molding as hereinabovedescribed. Closure 1b and container 2b include cooperating threads andratchet elements as well as an annular undercut 15b and protrusions 13dhaving generally conical cross-sections all cooperating one with theother in a manner and for purposes as previously described.

However, the frangible area 12b is formed otherwise than in previousembodiments. Frangible area 12b is formed during the molding of closure1b by parallel lines of protrusions 13d which extend through the wall ofclosure 1b in the area thereof between the upper portion of closure 1band skirt portion 8b thereof. It should be noted how the protrusions 13dare spaced one from the other and located on two parallel levels witheach protrusion starting right under or above a previous one as shown inFIG. 6. The lands 12b between protrusions 13d thus keep lower portion(skirt) 8b and upper portion 5b connected but form weakened or frangiblearea 12b therebetween. Skirt portion 8b is formed such that it divergesoutwardly from its area of connection to the bottom portion of closure1b. This configuration facilitates the ejecting of closure 1b from itsmold without breaking frangible connection 12b.

The application of appropriate force to closure 1b will separate upperportion 5b thereof from skirt 8b along weakened area 12b. The separationof upper portion 5b from skirt 8b will either indicate tampering or willpermit desired access to the contents of container 2b.

The embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate construction for atamper-evident closure 1c. Closure 1c is formed as was closure 1 of FIG.1 by molding from a suitable plastic and with internal threads 4cdisposed for coaction with external threads 3c formed on the neck ofcontainer 2c formed of glass or plastic and otherwise similar tocontainer 2 of FIG. 1.

Closure 1c also includes a skirt portion 8c formed with internal ratchetelements 9c disposed for coaction with ratchet elements 10c of container2c in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of FIG. 1. A rib 24 isformed within and proximate to the bottom of skirt 8c that cooperateswith an annular collar 6c formed on container 2c. A lower collar 7c isalso formed on the neck of container 2c.

Closure 1c is also formed with a frangible or weakened area 12c betweenits upper portion 5c and skirt 8c. Such weakened area is formed by acontinuous protrusion 13e which would separate skirt 8c from the upperportion 5c of closure 1c except for a plurality of vertically extendingribs 25 which are formed during the molding of closure 1c on the outersurface thereof and so as to extend down its upper portion and skirt 8cas shown. A bottom surface 11c of ribs 25 is used for ejection of aclosure 1c from its mold without breaking frangible connection 12c.

A conical cross-section of protrusion 13e combined with a conicalcross-section of undercut 15c and bottom surface 11c insures ejection ofclosure 1c from its mold in one piece.

It will thus be seen that the cooperation of rib 24 with collars 6c and7c prevents closure 1c from being pryed up; and otherwise cooperatethrough ratchet elements 9c and 10c and weakened area 12c to provide atamper-evident closure. The application of force to turn closure 1cthrough the cooperation of ratchet elements 9c and 10c will fractureribs 25 proximate protrusion 13e and readily indicate tampering unless,of course, such action was intended in order to gain access to thecontents of container 2c.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 a closure 1d is shown disposed forcoaction with a container 2d identical in construction and configurationto container 2 of FIG. 1. It should be noted that container 2d includesspaced annular collars 6d and 7d.

Closure 1d is molded from suitable plastic with internal threads formedfor cooperation with external threads formed on the neck of container 2dand with a number of ribs 24d formed for cooperation with annular collar6d formed around the neck of container 2d. The ribs 24d prevent fromtaking off the closure 1d from a container 2d without breaking frangibleconnection 12d between upper part 5d and the skirt 8d. An undercut 15dis molded in the upper portion of closure 1d to prevent from breaking offrangible connection 12d during the ejection in a manner and forpurposes as previously described.

The frangible connection, however, is formed differently. An annularundercut 26, having a conical cross-section as does undercut 15d,located right above the undercut 26, intersects with external serrations27 formed around the outer surface of an upper portion of closure 1d,forming protrusions 13d' and frangible connections 12d. Because theoutside diameter of serrations 27 is bigger than the outside diameter ofundercut 26 there is no need to diverge skirt 8d outwardly. Portion 11dof the bottom surface located outside the outer diameter of undercut 26can be used to eject closure 1d from its mold.

Closure 1d and container 2d cooperate as described for the embodiment ofFIG. 1 such that the application of appropriate force to closure 1d willresult in separation of the upper portion of closure 1d from skirt 8dalong weakened area 12d. If such separation is not a result of anintended opening of a container 2d it will be evident that there mayhave been tampering with the container.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 12 and 13 there is shown a closure 1edisposed for cooperation with a container 2e. Closure 1e and container2e are formed in a manner and from materials as previously described.

Closure 1e includes an upper or cap portion 5e and a lower or skirtportion 8e attached one to the other by a weakened or frangible area 12eformed by a plurality of protrusions 13e'. The protrusions are alignedbut intermittent and formed from the inside of closure 1e, as is theannular undercut 15e, during the molding thereof as described for theprevious embodiments.

A plurality of ratchets 9e are formed proximate the bottom of skirt 8efor cooperation with ratchets 10e and annular collars 6e and 7e formedaround the neck of container 2e to hinder prying up closure 1e. Closure1e also includes internally formed screw threads disposed forcooperation with screw threads formed around the neck of container 2e.

A number of ribs 28 are formed within closure 1e between the screwthreads formed therewithin and skirt 8e. Ribs 28 are used to preventclosure 1e from rotation when unscrewing of closure takes place in themolding process.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 closure 1f is shown disposedfor cooperation with a container 2f. Closure 1f and container 2f areformed in a manner and from materials as previously described. Closure1f and container 2f include cooperating threads and ratchet elements aswell as annular undercuts 15f and protrusions 13f all cooperating witheach other in a manner and for purposes as previously described.

Closure 1f, however, is formed such that it diverges outwardly from top29 of its upper or cap portion 5f to bottom 11f of its lower or skirtportion 8f. A weakened or frangible area 12f is provided between cap 5fand skirt 8f by molding protrusions 13f in the inside surface of closure1f. The divergent configuration of closure 1f from its top 29 to itsbottom 11f provides a part of the bottom surface located outside theouter diameter of protrusions 13f. This portion can be used to faciliatethe ejection of the closure from its mold.

The outer surface of closure 1f is molded such that it forms a pluralityof serrations 27f therein. Serrations 27f are not, however, cutcompletely by protrusions 13f but the wall of closure 1f betweenserrations 27f is cut through by protrusions 13f. Thus, the remainingportions of serrations 27f in frangible area hold cap 5f and skirt 8ftogether.

Ratchets 10f formed on container 2f and 9f formed within skirt 8f ofclosure 1f are used to restrain rotation of skirt 8f. This will requirethe use of a predetermined degree of force to turn closure 1f resultingin severance of cap 5f from skirt 8f along frangible area.

Another embodiment of a tamper-evident closure is shown in FIGS. 16 and17. A closure 1g is shown disposed in cooperation with a container 2g.Both are formed from suitable materials and by molding as hereinabovedescribed. Closure 1g and container 2g include cooperating threads andratchet elements as well as annular collars all cooperating one with theother in a manner and for purposes as previously described.

Closure 1g, however, includes an undercut 13g that is formed withinclosure 1g so as to leave a wall thickness proximate undercut 13g ofbetween 0.004 inches and 0.008 inches. This creates a weakened orfrangible area between an upper portion 5g of closure 1g and lowerportion or skirt 8g thereof.

Skirt 8g diverges outwardly from weakened area 12g to form a bottomsurface 11g located outside an outer diameter of undercut 13g tofacilitate ejecting of the closure 1g from its mold.

A tab 30 is formed on skirt 8g to extend therefrom as shown. A groove 31extends from undercut 13g to bottom 11g of skirt 8g proximate tab 30.Ratchets 9g are formed within skirt 8g as and for the hereinabovedescribed reasons.

Tab 30 and groove 31 cooperate to facilitate intended separation ofskirt 8g from the upper portion of closure 1g. This is accomplished byapplying appropriate force to tab 30 to separate skirt 8g along weakenedarea 12g. The separation of skirt 8g from the upper portion of closure1g will evidence tampering or possible tampering.

The frangible area shown on FIGS. 16 and 17 is much stronger than theone shown in previous embodiments, therefore, there is no need toprovide the upper portion with an additional undercut 15 to preventseparation of upper and lower parts during the ejection, as it is shownin the embodiment of FIG. 1.

However, the ratchet elements 9g should be made larger than the onesneeded in the previous embodiments to prevent them from being smashedbefore the frangible connection 12g breaks.

The embodiment of FIGS. 18 and 19 shows a closure 1h disposed forcooperation with a container 2h. Container 2h is formed and constructedsimilarly to the containers of the previously described embodiments; andso is closure 1h. The weakened or frangible area of closure 1h and theway the closure gets affixed to the container 2h are, however,different.

Closure 1h is formed with a skirt or lower portion 8h and with an upperportion 5h which come together at a weakened or frangible area 12h.Skirt 8h has an outside diameter that is larger than the outsidediameter of the upper portion 5h; skirt 8h is formed in such a way thatthe size of the inside diameter is close to the size of the outsidediameter of upper portion 5h. Thus where upper portion 5h meets skirt 8hthere are only very small bridges of material left to hold themtogether.

In addition, a number of external grooves 32 are formed on the upperportion 5h of the closure 1h so as to extend down to the weakened area12h. Grooves 32 are made to form an upper surface of several ribs 33located on the inner surface of the skirt 8h and used to affix the skirt8h to the annular collar 6h of the container 2h. In addition, an annularcollar 7h is provided to prevent closure 1h from being readily pried upoff of container 2h.

The application of appropriate force to closure 1h will separate upperportion 5h thereof from skirt 8h along weakened area 12h. The separationof upper portion 5h from skirt 8h will either indicate tampering or willpermit desired access to the contents of container 2h.

The cross-section of the grooves 32 formed in the outer surface of thecap 5h can be of various shapes. The top projection of the ribs 33formed on the inside surface of the skirt 8h and located under thegrooves 32 will automatically acquire the same shape. By making thecross-section of the grooves in the upper cap portion triangular, theribs 33 will, too, have a triangular top projection. With a triangulartop projection ribs 33 can perform a dual function. They can be affixedto the annular collar of the container after the closure is screwed onto the container and thus prevent the skirt from axial movement relativeto the container's neck. If the neck of a container is also providedwith ratchets formed under the annular collar, the ribs 33 would engagewith ratchets on the container's neck and prevent the rotation of theskirt 8h relative to the container's neck after the closure is appliedto the container.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are included to facilitate an understanding of how theclosure of FIGS. 18 and 19 might be molded. A cavity 35 forms theoutside surface of upper portion 5h of closure 1h and the top surface ofribs 33. The inside surface of cavity 35 has a number of ribs 36 alongthe cavity from top to bottom and extend beyond the parting line forminga number of legs that stick out of the cavity. The skirt portion ofclosure 1h is molded under the parting line by bushing 37 which formsthe inside of skirt portion 8h; bushing 38 which forms the outside ofskirt 8h; and the ejector 39 which forms the bottom of the skirt 8h.

Bushing 37 has a number of grooves which are equal to the number of ribs36 of the cavity 35. During the closing of the mold, the legs which arethe continuation of ribs 36 enter the grooves of bushing 37. That leavesa space between the bottom surface of the grooves in bushing 37 and theend surface 40 of ribs 36 which forms the rib 33 on the inner surface ofthe skirt 8h of closure 1h. Thus, ribs 36 form the top surface 34 ofribs 33 and protrusions 41 in the frangible connection 12h.

The arrangement of elements of closure 1h, shown in FIGS. 18 and 19,permits to form the upper surface of ribs 33 in such a way that theyprovide the best possible grip between skirt 8h and the bottle neck.That in turn, makes it very difficult to tamper with the container andimproves its tamper-evident feature dramatically.

FIG. 21 shows a closure 1h on a threaded core 42 which forms the insideof closure 1h. It can be unscrewed from the core by an outsideunscrewing device or taken off the core by any other method known to theindustry.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 22A shows a child-resistanttamper-evident closure 1i.

Closure 1i includes an inside cap 43 and outside cap 44; both areseparately molded parts. The inside cap 43 is sized to fit within theoutside cap 44 and to be retained therewithin by a collar 45 moldedwithin the cap 44. To unscrew the cap off the container, a considerabledownward force should be applied to the outside cap to keep the outsideand inside caps engaged during unscrewing; thus, rendering the closurechild-resistant. One of the ways to do so is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

The outside cap 44 includes an internally formed rib 46 while the insidecap 43 includes a groove 47 disposed for cooperation therewith. The rib46 and grooves 47 are formed as shown in FIG. 22A with cooperatingstraight sides and cooperating curved sides. The cap is child-resistantsince in order to unscrew it a considerable force should be applied tothe outside cap to keep both outside cap and inside cap engaged whilethe container is being opened. Only such force would keep the partsengaged through the rib 46 and the groove 47; otherwise the curve 48formed on the left side of the rib 46 would slide over the groove 47 andcause the disengagement between the upper and the lower portions of thecap.

The tamper-evident construction for closure 1i is accomplished byforming a frangible or weakened connection 12i between skirt 8i andupper portion 5i of an outside cap 44. This can be done by one of themethods shown in previously described embodiments. As shown in FIG. 22,the skirt 8i is formed with internal ratchet elements 9i disposed forcooperation with ratchet elements 10i formed on the container's neck.Any attempt to remove the closure 1i from the container 2i must resultin fracturing of the outside cap 44 at the weakened or frangible area12i. Such fracturing will be readily apparent to the user, thus makingthe closure 1i tamper-evident. When it is desired to remove the closure1i from the container 2i to gain access to the contents, one needs onlyto apply an appropriate force in the appropriate direction to turn theoutside cap 44. The ratchet elements 9i and 10i cooperate to restrainthe rotation of the skirt portion 8i. A continued application of forceto turn the outside cap 44 will result in fracturing of the weakenedarea 12i and separation of the upper part 5i of the outside cap 44 fromthe skirt portion 8i. The upper portion of the outside cap 44 togetherwith the inside threaded cap 43 may be thereafter be used as a regularchild-resistant closure.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 23 shows a closure 1j as a tamper-evidentchild-resistant push-on type closure. Closure 1j includes an upperportion 5j, which is a regular child-resistant cap, and a lower skirtportion 8j. Skirt 8j is connected to the upper cap 5j by a weakened orfrangible area 12j, a relatively thin membrane formed during the moldingof closure 1j in such a way as to provide a tamper-evident constructionfor closure 1j.

Container 2j is formed of suitable materials in such a way as to providea child-resistant construction that will cooperate with achild-resistant construction of the upper portion 5j of the closure 1j.The neck of the container 2j is provided with a collar 53 that has a gap49. The upper portion 5j of the closure 1j is molded with a number ofundercuts, all of which but one are too large to pass through the gap 49and a small undercut 50 which is sized to pass through the gap 49. Anarrow 51 is formed on the outside surface of the neck of the container2j to indicate the location of the gap 49, while arrow 52 is formed onthe upper portion of the closure 1j to indicate the location of theundercut 50. Only when both arrows are aligned, which means that thesmall undercut is located under the gap, the upper portion 5j of theclosure 1j can be removed from the container 2j. This construction makesthe upper portion 5 j of the closure 1j child-resistant.

An annular collar 6j larger than collar 53 is added to the containerneck. The collar 6j cooperates with the bottom surface 54 of the closure1j to prevent it from being pried off.

A skirt 8j is added to the upper portion 5j to render the closure 1jtamper-evident. The skirt 8j of the closure 1j is formed with one orseveral undercuts 55 that cooperate with the bottom surface of thecollar 6j and make it difficult to pry the closure 1j off the container2j without breaking the frangible connection 12j. In addition, the skirt8j covers the arrow 51 so as to obscure it and hinder the alignment ofthe gap 49 with the small undercut 50. However, should the gap 49 andthe small undercut 50 accidentally align, the cooperation of theundercut 55 with the collar 6j will prevent prying the closure 1j offthe container 2j. This is accomplished by aligning one of the undercuts55 with the small undercut 50. However, to make the tamper-evidentclosure 1j even more reliable, a number of ribs 56, one at least, can beformed between annular collars 6j and 7j under the gap 49. Thecooperation between the undercut 55, which is aligned with the smallundercut 50, and the ribs 56 will prevent the alignment between thesmall undercut 50 and gap 49. A collar 7j is formed on the container 2jto cooperate with the bottom surface 11j of the skirt 8j. Thiscooperation hinders prying the closure 1j off the container 2j. A pulltab 57 is formed to extend out from the skirt 8j; and a groove 58 isformed proximate to the tab 57 to facilitate breaking of the skirt 8j.

When it is desired to obtain access to the contents of the container 2j,one needs only to pull the tab 57 with a force sufficient to fracturethe weakened area 12j and separate the skirt 8j from the upper portion5j. Thereafter, the alignment of the arrows 51 and 52 will permit theremoval of the upper portion 5j of the closure 1j from the container 2j.If the skirt 8j is removed, or if the weakened area 12j has beenfractured, the user would become alert to the possibility of thetampering.

The embodiment in FIG. 24 show another child-resistant tamper-evidentpush-on closure 1k similar in many respects to the embodiments in FIG.23. The closure 1k and container 2k are formed of the same materials andin the same manner as those described previously. However, thetamper-evident features and frangible area of closure 1k are formeddifferently. A number of grooves 32k are formed on the outside surfaceof the upper portion 5k of the closure 1k. Similarly to the embodimentsin FIGS. 18 and 19, the grooves 32k are made to form an upper surface34k of the several ribs 33k formed in the inside surface of the skirt 8kand used to affix the skirt 8k to the annular collar 6k of the container2k.

The upper portion 5k and the skirt 8k are attached to each other by aweakened or frangible area 12k made of a relatively thin membrane formedduring the molding of the closure 1k. The frangible membrane 12k isprotruded in several places under the grooves 32k and above the ribs33k; this makes the connection intermittent and therefore more fragile.

The presence of the grooves 32k makes it possible to form the uppersurface 34k of the ribs 33k on the parting line. This, in turn, enablesthe closure 1k to be ejected from its mold without distorting the uppersurface 34k. This leaves the surface 34k in the best possible form andinsures a good grip between the ribs 33k of the skirt 8k and the annularcollar 6k of the container 2k. The molding of the grooves 32k and theribs 33k is similar to the molding of the elements shown in FIGS. 20 and21.

A pull tab 57k extending from the skirt 8k and a groove 58k formedproximate to the pull tab 57k facilitate breaking of the skirt 8k alongthe groove 58k and fracturing the weakened area 12k and separation ofthe skirt 8k from the upper portion 5k.

Thus, closure 1k is pushed onto the container 2k in a conventionalmanner. Once so applied, any attempt to remove the closure 1k from thecontainer 2k will result in cooperation between the top surface 34k ofthe ribs 33k with the bottom surface of the annular collar 6k which mustresult in fracturing of the closure 1k at the weakened area 12k. Suchfracturing will be readily apparent to the user and thus closure 1k istamper-evident. When it is desired to remove the closure 1k from thecontainer 2k to gain access to the contents therebetween, one needs onlyto pull the tab 57k with sufficient force and separate the skirt 8k fromthe upper portion 5k.

Thus, as long as the skirt 8k is connected to the upper portion 5k it ismost probable that the contents of the container 2k have not beentampered with. On the other hand, if the skirt 8k has not beenintentionally removed, or if the weakened area 12k is fractured, thereis evidence of possible tampering.

The embodiment in FIGS. 25 and 26 shows a child-resistant,tamper-evident, push-on type closure 1L which is similar to the closureshown in FIG. 24. However, to avoid an additional wall thickness in theupper cap portion 5L, a number of grooves 58 are formed on the outersurface of the upper cap portion 5L. A number of openings 32L are formedin between ribs 58, similarly to the grooves 32k shown in FIG. 24 and tothe grooves 32h shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, but much wider, to providemeans of forming an upper surface 34L of the ribs 33L on the lower skirtportion 8L and used to affix the skirt 8L to the container's neck.

The embodiment of FIGS. 27 and 28 shows a closure 1m disposed forcooperation with a container 2m. Closure 1m is similar to the closureshown in FIG. 18. The only difference between these closures is that anexcessive amount of material formed on the top cap portion 5h of closure1h in between grooves 32 is mostly removed leaving an area of anincreased thickness of material forming an annular collar 58m at thebottom end of an upper cap portion 5m. With the removal of thatexcessive material from upper cap portion 5m, the grooves 32 themselveswill disappear above the annular collar 58m leaving just short openings32m formed in the area of increased thickness 58m.

Container 2m is of conventional configuration with a threaded neckportion 3m having an annular collar 6m formed under threaded neckportion.

Closure 1m includes an upper threaded portion 5m and a lower skirtportion 8m attached to one another through a number of thin strips ofmaterial 12m making the connection frangible.

The external surface of the upper cap portion 5m of the closure 1m has anumber of uniformly disposed one from another peripherally located ribs59 formed above the annular collar 58m by means of which it may begripped to facilitate screwing and unscrewing.

The lower skirt portion 8m is formed with its inner diameter located ata close distance from an outside diameter of an annular collar 58mformed at the bottom of an upper cap portion.

A number of ribs 33m are formed on the inside surface 38m of a lowerskirt portion 8m to provide means of engagement between the skirt andthe container annular collar 6m. The top surface 34m of ribs 33m isspaced from the top of the skirt by a distance "A" to provide room foran annular collar 6m located under the upper cap portion. Ribs 33m areperipherally spaced one from another and located directly under theopenings 32m formed in the annular collar 58m at the bottom of an uppercap portion. The top surface 34m (see FIG. 28) of ribs 33m is formed asa top projection of openings 32m and can be arranged either parallel toor at a small positive angle "a" to the bottom surface of a containerannular collar 6m. This position also can be described as beingperpendicular to or at an angle equal (90-"a") degrees to the inner wallof a lower skirt portion. This arrangement provides reliable engagementbetween the ribs 33m and container annular collar 6m and improves thetamper-resistant feature of the closure. In addition, the presentinvention allows even further improvement of closure tamper-resistantcapabilities by increasing the interference between the outside diameterof the container annular collar 6m and the ribs 33m which depends on thethickness "B" of the ribs 33m. Thickness "B" can be either equal to orclose to the size "C" which designates the depth of the openings 32m.Size "C" is determined by the thickness of the annular collar 58 formedat the bottom end of an upper cap portion 5m.

Thus, closure 1m is applied to the neck of a container 2m in aconventional manner. Once so applied, ribs 33m formed on skirt 8m areengaged with the bottom surface of an annular collar 6m formed on acontainer neck, and any attempt to remove closure 1m from container 2mmust result in fracturing of closure 1m at weakened area 12m. Suchfracturing will be readily apparent to the user and thus closure 1m istamper-evident.

Forming an annular collar 58m at the bottom of an upper cap portion 5m,forming openings 32m in the collar 58m; positioning ribs 33m directlyunder openings 32m and forming the ribs 33m at a distance from the topend of a skirt 8m, makes it possible to mold an upper surface 34m ofribs 33m at a positive angle and at the same time to increase the ribsthickness "B" which substantially increases interference between theribs 33m and bottle annular collar 6m. Both increased interference andpositive angle provide a closure with much better tamper-resistantcapability than any presently known tamper-evident closures.

The embodiment of FIG. 29 shows an alternate construction fortamper-evident closure 1n. Closure 1n is formed as was the closure ofFIGS. 27 and 28 by molding from suitable plastic and with internalthreads disposed for coaction with external threads formed on the neckof container 2n. Closure 1n also includes a skirt portion 8n formed withinternal rib elements 33n disposed for coaction with container annularcollar 6n.

Closure 1n is also formed with a frangible or weakened connectionbetween the upper cap portion 5n and skirt portion 8n.

However, the position between the outer diameter of an annular collar58n formed at the bottom end of an upper cap portion with respect to aninside diameter 38n of a lower skirt portion 8n, is different. The sizeof an inner diameter 38n of a lower skirt portion 8n is smaller thanthat of an outer diameter of an annular collar 58n by a small amount"2D". The outer diameter of the lower skirt portion 8n remains largerthan the outer diameter of an annular collar 58n. Such an arrangementleads to the formation of grooves 60n on an inner surface 38n of a skirt8n. The depth "D" of each groove plus thickness "B" of ribs 33n is equalto depth "C" of openings 32n formed in the annular collar 58n at thebottom end of an upper cap portion.

Despite the fact that depth "B" of ribs 33n is smaller than the depth"C" of openings 32n by depth "D" of grooves 60n, this arrangement has anadvantage over the embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 in itstamper-resistant capabilities. The advantage comes from the fact that inclosure 1n not only the lower skirt portion 8n is engaged with thecontainer annular collar 6n by ribs 33n, but at the same time it islocked in place by the upper cap portion 5n because its outside diameteris larger than the inside diameter of a lower skirt portion. In a caseof an attempted tampering when one tries to open the container withoutbreaking the frangible connection between the upper and lower portionsof closure 1n by spreading the ribs 33n outwardly over the containerannular collar 6n, it will be still impossible to take the closure offthe container without breaking the frangible connection because theupper cap portion will prevent the upward movement of a lower skirtportion due to its larger outer diameter in comparison with skirt innerdiameter.

The embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 shows a closure 1o disposed forcooperation with a container 2o. Container 2o is formed and constructedsimilarly to the previously described embodiments with an addition of anumber of ratchets 10o formed under an annular collar 6o. Closure 1o isformed similarly to the closure 1m shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. However,the top projection of the openings 32o and, as a result, the top surface34o of the ribs 33o are formed differently.

In the closure 1o openings 32o formed in the thickened area at thebottom end of an upper cap portion have a triangular top projection,which renders an opportunity to form the ribs 33o on the inside surfaceof the skirt 8o with a triangular top surface 34o. Triangular topprojections of the ribs allows them to perform as ratchets and bedisposed for cooperation with ratchets 10o of container 2o. Ratchet-ribelements 33o and ratchets 10o cooperate in a well-known manner to permitrotation of closure 1o in one direction but prevent the rotation ofclosure 1o in the opposite direction as long as the lower skirt portion8o is intact and in place. In addition, the ratchet-rib elements 33o arespaced from the upper cap portion to provide room for the containerannular collar 6o. The top surface of ratchet-rib elements 33o is formedat a small positive angle to the bottom surface of container annularcollar 6o and have sufficient depth "B" guaranteed by a sufficientthickness "C" of the annular collar 58o formed at the bottom end of anupper cap portion 5o, which provides a reliable grip between thecontainer annular collar 6o and the ratchet-rib elements 33o andprevents an axial movement between the lower skirt portion and containerneck.

After closure 1o is applied to container 2o in a conventional manner theratchet-rib elements 33o are engaged with the lower surface of containerannular collar 6o formed on container neck and at the same time withratchets 10o formed under annular collar. Such engagement prevents bothrotational and axial movement between the lower skirt portion andcontainer neck providing a double protection from tampering.

The embodiment of FIGS. 32 and 33 shows an alternate construction fortamper-evident closure 1p. Closure 1p is formed as was the closure ofFIG. 27, with the upper cap portion having a thickened area of materiallocated at the bottom, and a lower skirt portion attached to the uppercap by a number of thin strips of material, which makes the connectionfrangible, and having a number of ribs 33p formed on its inner surfacefor engagement with the container annular collar.

However, the thickened area 58p at the bottom end of the cap and the topprojection of the ribs 33p are formed differently. The thickened area atthe bottom end of an upper cap portion is formed with its top projectionhaving a shape of a regular n-sided polygon enveloping the outsidediameter of the upper cap portion 5p. The inside diameter 38p of thelower skirt portion 8p is formed in close proximity to the thickenedarea 58p and is connected to the upper cap portion by a number of thinstrips of material 12p, thus making the connection frangible. Suchcombination between the outside contour of a thickened area 58p and theinside diameter 38p of the inner skirt portion 8p forms "n" openings 32pwith a top projection of a circular segment outlined by an innerdiameter of said skirt and a chord formed by a side of a regularpolygon. The openings 32p shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 and outlined betweenthe sides of a regular polygon and arcs formed by the inside diameter ofa lower skirt portion are used to form the top surface of ribs 33plocated under the openings 32p, formed on the skirt 8p.

After the closure 1p is screwed onto container neck the ribs 33p areengaged with the container annular collar 6p and the closure can not betaken off the container without breaking frangible connections 12p, thusrendering the closure tamper-evident.

FIG. 34 shows how the present invention can be utilized to form achild-resistant tamper-evident closure.

Closure 1q includes an inside cap 43q and an outside cap 44q; both areseparately molded parts. The inside cap 43q is sized to fit within theoutside cap 44q and to retain there within by a collar 45q molded on theinner surface of the cap 44q. To unscrew the cap off the container, aconsiderable force should be applied in a direction different from theunscrewing moment to the outside cap to keep the outside and inside capsengaged during unscrewing. A number of specially formed elements likeratchets 43q, are formed on the inside surface of a cap 44q and theoutside surface of an inner cap 43q to keep them engaged during theunscrewing by an additional force applied in the downward directionthus, rendering the closure child-resistant.

The tamper-evident construction of closure 1q is accomplished by formingthe outside cap 44q in the same manner as in closures described in FIGS.18, 19 and 27-33. However, the inside thread of the outer cap 44q isreplaced by elements needed to retain the inside cap 43q within theoutside cap 44q and elements needed to keep them engaged during screwingclosure onto the container and unscrewing it off the container.

The outside cap 44q shown in FIG. 34 consists of an upper cap portion 5qand a lower skirt portion 8q which are held together by frangibleconnection 12q. The upper cap portion of the outside cap 44q is formedwith an annular collar 58q located at the bottom and having a number ofopenings 32q formed in it and peripherally spaced one from another. Theexternal surface above the annular collar has a number of peripherallylocated ribs 59q uniformly disposed one from another, by means of whichthe cap can be gripped to facilitate screwing and unscrewing. The lowerskirt portion 8q of the outside cap 44q is formed with its inner surface38q in close proximity with the outer surface of an annular collar 58q.A number of ribs 33q are formed on the inside diameter of the skirt 8qunder openings 32q formed in the annular collar and are spaced from theupper edge of a lower skirt portion. The upper surface 34q of each rib33q has the same top projection as the openings 58q and is formed at anangle to guarantee a reliable engagement between the skirt 8q andcontainer annular collar 6q.

Thus, closure 1q is applied to the neck of the container 2q in aconventional manner. Once so applied, ribs 33q formed on a skirt 8qbecome engaged with the bottom surface of an annular collar 6q formed onthe neck of the container. Any attempt to remove the closure 1q fromcontainer 2q will result in fracturing of the thin bridges of material12q connecting the upper portion and lower skirt of an outside cap 44q.Such fracturing will be readily apparent to the user and thus, closure1q is a child-resistant, tamper-evident closure.

The embodiment of FIG. 35 shows a child-resistant, tamper-evident,push-on type closure 1R which is similar to the closure shown in FIG.24. However, to further improve the tamper-evident characteristics ofthe closure, an additional collar 7R is formed on the container 2R tocooperate with the bottom surface 11R of the skirt 8R. This cooperationhinders prying the closure 1R off container 2R.

The embodiment of FIG. 36 shows a tamper-evident, push-on type closure1S which is similar to the closure shown in FIG. 24. However, the upperportion of closure 1S and the container neck portion 2S are formeddifferently. An annular collar 50S is formed on the inner surface of anupper cap portion for interlocking engagement with annular collar 53Sformed on the container neck.

Thus, closure 1S is pushed onto container in a conventional manner. Onceso applied, any attempt to remove the closure from the container willresult in cooperation between the top surface of ribs 33S with thebottom surface of the annular collar 6S which must result in fracturingof the closure 1S at the weakened area 12S. When it is desired to removethe closure from the container 2S to get access to the contentstherebetween, one needs only to pull the tab 57S and separate the skirt8S from the upper portion 5S. To take the upper cap portion from thecontainer one needs only to push the tab 60S up in any position.

An additional collar 7S is formed on the container 2S to cooperate withthe bottom surface 11S of the skirt 8S. This cooperation hinders pryingthe closure 1R off container 2R.

Various possible embodiments, forms and modifications of the invention,coming within the proper scope and spirit of the appended claims, willof course readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Thus,while there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be madetherein, without departing from the invention, and it is, thereforeaimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modificationsas fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention, and it isunderstood that, although I have shown the preferred form of myinvention, that various modifications may be made in the detailsthereof, without departing from the spirit as comprehended by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plastic unitary molded child-resistant,snap-on, tamper-evident closure for operative association with acontainer which includes a neck portion having an external upper annularcollar with a gap and a lower annular collar formed therebelow, thelower annular collar including an outer peripheral wall and lowerannular wall extending inwardly from a lower end of said outerperipheral wall, said closure comprising:a. an upper cap portion havinginternal ribs disposed for cooperation with the upper annular collar,said ribs including a plurality of spaced ribs only one of which is of asize to pass through the gap of said upper annular collar, and saidupper cap portion includes indication means indicting the location ofsaid rib sized to pass through said gap; b. a lower skirt portionconnected to the upper cap portion and having an inside diameter that isclose to the outside diameter of the upper cap portion; c. weakenedintermediate portions circumferentially formed about the closure at theconnection between the lower skirt portion and the upper cap portion; d.said upper cap portion including about its circumference a plurality ofvertically extending intermittently spaced grooves extending down to theweakened intermediate portions; e. a plurality of corresponding openingswhich separate the weakened intermediate portions and extend through theconnection between the upper cap portion and the lower skirt portion; f.a number of radially inwardly directed ribs located on the interiorsurface of the lower skirt portion for locking engagement with theannular collar of the container; g. said ribs being longitudinallyaligned with the grooves on the upper cap portion; h. said ribs beingvertically spaced from the upper end of said lower skirt portion; and i.said ribs lockingly engaging said lower annular collar at an engagementportion on said lower annular wall which is inwardly spaced from saidouter peripheral wall when the closure is assembled with the container.2. The closure of claim 1, wherein said grooves formed in the upper capportion are widened to the extent of forming a plurality of verticallyextending intermittently spaced ribs extending down to the lower skirtportion providing weakened intermediate portions circumferentiallyformed about the closure at the connection between the lower skirtportion and the upper cap portion.
 3. The closure of claim 1, whereinthe neck portion includes a third annular collar below the upper andlower annular collars and the lower skirt portion has a bottom edge inclose proximity to the third annular collar of the container when theclosure is in assembled position on the container so that the closurecannot be pried off.
 4. A plastic unitary molded tamper-evident closureformed to cooperate with a container having a threaded neck portion andinterlocking elements disposed below the threaded neck portion, theclosure having an upper cap portion with internal threading formed tocooperate with a threaded neck portion of a container and a lower skirtportion located under said cap and formed to have interlocking elementsconstructed for engagement with container interlocking elements andconnected to each other by frangible means interconnecting said skirtportion to said cap such that relative rotational, axial, or bothmovements between said skirt portion and said cap portion will effect infracturing of said frangible means and separation of said cap portionfrom said skirt portion, comprising:a. the upper cap portion having anarea of increased thickness of material formed as an annular collar atthe bottom end of said cap portion; b. the upper cap portion having anumber of peripherally displaced one from another vertically extendingopenings formed in the area of increased thickness at the bottom end ofsaid upper cap portion; c. the lower skirt portion having an innerdiameter formed in close proximity with the outer diameter of said areaof increased thickness of said upper cap portion; d. the lower skirtportion having a number of inwardly directed ribs peripherally displacedone from another on the inner diameter of said skirt and located rightunder said openings; e. said ribs formed on the inner surface of saidlower skirt portion and having a thickness comparable to the depth ofsaid openings formed above; f. said ribs having a top surface formed atan angle of 90 degrees or less to the inner surface of said skirt; g.said ribs located inside the periphery of said area of increasedthickness; h. said ribs spaced from the upper end of said lower skirtportion.
 5. The closure of claim 4, wherein the inner diameter of saidskirt portion is smaller and the outer diameter is bigger than the outerdiameter of said area of increased thickness; with said skirt portionhaving a plurality of grooves formed on the inner surface in line withsaid openings, and a number of inwardly directed ribs formed at the endsof said grooves.
 6. The closure of claim 4, wherein said openings areformed with a generally triangular top projection providing said ribswith a triangular top surface formed as a ratchet for engagement withratchets formed under the container annular collar, and thus providingan additional engagement between said skirt portion and said container.7. The closure of claim 4, wherein said area of increased thicknessformed at the bottom of said cap has a periphery formed as a regular"n"-sided polygon which in conjunction with the inner diameter of saidskirt portion forms "n" openings having a top projection of a circularsegment, providing said skirt portion with a plurality of ribs formed inline and under said openings.
 8. The closure of claim 4, wherein theclosure is formed to be child-resistant; said closure including an innercap and outer cap and a cap connection disposed therebetween tofacilitate operation of said inner cap by said outer cap only byfollowing a predetermined operation routine; and said skirt portionextends from said outer cap and connects to said outer cap by saidfrangible means.
 9. A cup-shaped plastic unitary molded tamper-evidentclosure for operative association with a container which includes a neckportion having an annular collar, the annular collar including an outerperipheral wall and a lower annular wall extending inwardly from a lowerend of said outer peripheral wall, said closure comprising:a. an uppercap portion; b. a lower skirt portion connected to the upper cap portionand having an inside diameter that is closed to the outside diameter ofthe upper cap portion; c. weakened intermediate portionscircumferentially formed about the closure at the connection between thelower skirt portion and the upper cap portion; d. said upper cap portionincluding about its circumference a plurality of vertically extendingintermittently spaced grooves extending down to the level of theweakened intermediate portions; e. a plurality of corresponding openingswhich separate the weakened intermediate portions and extend through theconnection between the upper cap portion and the lower skirt portion; f.a number of radially inwardly directed ribs located on the interiorsurface of the lower skirt portion for locking engagement with theannular collar of the container; g. said ribs being longitudinallyaligned with the grooves on the upper cap portion; h. said ribs beingvertically spaced from the upper end of said lower skirt portion; and i.said ribs lockingly engaging said annular collar at an engagementportion on said lower annular wall which is inwardly spaced from saidouter peripheral wall when the closure is assembled with the container.10. The closure of claim 9, wherein the weakened intermediate portionsare formed by thin bridges of material connecting the upper cap portionand the lower skirt portion.
 11. The closure of claim 9, wherein theneck portion includes a second annular collar below the first-mentionedannular collar and the lower skirt portion has a bottom edge in closeproximity to the second annular collar of the container when the closureis in assembled position on the container so that the closure cannot bepried off.
 12. A cup-shaped plastic unitary molded tamper-evidentclosure for operative association with a container which includes a neckportion and an annular collar, the annular collar including an outerperipheral wall and a lower annular wall extending inwardly from a lowerend of said outer peripheral wall, said closure comprising:a. an uppercap portion having child-resistant means; b. a lower skirt portionconnected to the upper cap portion and having an inside diameter that isclose to the outside diameter of the upper cap portion; c. weakenedintermediate portions circumferentially formed about the closure at theconnection between the lower skirt portion and the upper cap portion; d.said upper cap portion including about its circumference a plurality ofvertically extending intermittently spaced grooves extending down to thelevel of the weakened intermediate portions; e. a plurality ofcorresponding openings which separate the weakened intermediate portionsand extend through the connection between the upper cap portion and thelower skirt portion; f. a number of radially inwardly directed ribslocated on the interior surface of the lower skirt portion for lockingengagement with the annular collar of the container; g. said ribs beinglongitudinally aligned with the grooves on the upper cap portion; h.said ribs being vertically spaced from the upper end of said lower skirtportion; and i. said ribs lockingly engaging said annular collar at anengagement portion on said lower annular wall which is inwardly spacedfrom said outer peripheral wall when the closure is assembled with thecontainer.
 13. The closure of claim 12, wherein the weakenedintermediate portions are formed by thin bridges of material connectingthe upper cap portion and the lower skirt portion.
 14. The closure ofclaim 12, wherein the neck portion includes a second annular collarbelow the first-mentioned annular collar and the lower skirt portion hasa bottom edge in close proximity to the second annular collar of thecontainer when the closure is in assembled position on the container sothat the closure cannot be pried off.
 15. The closure of claim 12,wherein said upper cap portion includes an inner cap, an outer cap andcap connection means disposed therebetween for facilitating operation ofsaid inner cap by said outer cap only following a predeterminedoperation routine.
 16. The closure of claim 12, wherein said neckportion has external threads formed therearound and said inner cap hasinteranl threads for mating engagement with the external threads of theneck portion.